As if Hill’s season-ending injury wasn’t bad enough, Pau Gasol is still suffering from concussion symptoms and Dwight Howard is dealing with a partially torn labrum in his shoulder. Howard’s injury may ultimately require surgery, but the center is optimistic he’ll return soon and is actually a game-time decision for Sunday against the Cavs.

Although the season isn’t over in terms of contending for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Lakers are coming dangerously close to being on the outside looking in on the postseason. Desperation mode is officially in full effect in Los Angeles with the team needing to battle through the recent injury problems and find a way to win.

With the NBA trade deadline a little more than a month away on Feb. 21, a few of the current players on the squad may be playing for an opportunity to stay in Los Angeles or the Lakers’ front office might be willing to pull the trigger on a few more trades before the deadline in an attempt to right the ship moving forward.